Government hiding power station problems - Joe Mizzi

Labour MP Joe Mizzi insisted that the country has an energy security problem and revealed that the diesel engines of the Delimara power plant extension had a number of unresolved faults.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Mizzi said that apart from the major fault in the new steam turbine, government was "hiding serious problems in the diesel engines."

Two weeks ago, Mizzi had revealed in Parliament that the steam turbine at the new Delimara power plant extension was damaged and called for an independent audit before the government is handed the extension by the Danish contractor, BWSC.

The damage was confirmed by finance minister Tonio Fenech who said the hand-over was delayed by up to six months.

Fenech had said that this means that the Marsa power station will have to be brought back into action to cover the loss of power generation incurred by the Delimara malfunction.

The minister had also noted that given how the Delimara power plant extension is still under BSWC's responsibility, Enemalta will be seeking to apply the full contractual penalties to recoup losses incurred by the turbine damage.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Joe Mizzi said engines one, six and eight at Delimara suffered damage which included the leakage of cooling water. In two of the engines and 18 cylinder heads needed to be removed.

"This is unacceptable for any machinery, let alone brand new power plant engines," Mizzi said as he insisted that the faults were not yet repaired. 

Mizzi stressed that Labour is demanding that independent experts should certify the power plant extension before it was handed over to Enemalta by BWSC.

The MP also insisted that despite the assurances given by Fenech, Malta had a problem of security of supply of electricity which puts the country's economy at risk.